Where To Apply For Grants In Person And Online: A Location Guide

Finding the right place to apply for grants depends on what kind of grant you need (housing, education, small business, basic needs) and where you live. Most real applications go through some combination of government offices, official online portals, and approved local nonprofits that are authorized to administer or help with grant programs.

Below is a practical guide to where you typically apply, how to find the right location for your situation, and what happens after you submit an application. Rules, eligibility, and locations can vary by state, county, and city, so always confirm details with the official office in your area.

Quick summary: Where people actually apply for common grants

Typical application locations by grant type:

  • Federal benefits grants (rent, food, utilities support): State or county human services / social services office or that agency’s online portal.
  • Housing and homelessness grants:Local housing authority, city housing department, or HUD-approved nonprofit housing agency.
  • Education grants (like Pell Grants): Your college financial aid office plus the official federal student aid portal.
  • Small business / startup grants:State economic development office, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), or local government small business program portal.
  • Local community or emergency grants:United Way-type clearinghouse, Community Action Agency, or city/county nonprofit partner.

Key next action for today:
Search for your state or county’s official “human services” or “social services” portal (look for sites ending in .gov), then check for a “grants,” “financial assistance,” or “emergency help” section and note whether applications are online, in-person, or through local partner agencies.

1. How to figure out where you should apply

The first step is to match your need to the kind of office that actually handles that type of grant in your area.

For basic needs (food, rent, utilities, cash assistance):

  • Look for your state or county Department of Human Services, Department of Social Services, or Health and Human Services office.
  • These agencies typically manage federal and state-funded grants like emergency rental help, utility assistance, and sometimes one-time crisis grants.

For housing and homelessness-related grants:

  • Search for your local housing authority or city housing department.
  • Many rental assistance, security deposit, and homelessness prevention grants are administered through housing authorities or through Community Action Agencies under contract with them.

For education-related grants:

  • Federal and state education grants (like Pell Grants or state need-based grants) are processed through the official federal student aid portal and your school’s financial aid office.
  • Some states have additional grants handled by the state higher education agency or state education department.

For small business or nonprofit grants:

  • Look up your state economic development agency, local Small Business Development Center (SBDC), or city/county economic development office.
  • These entities often manage competitive grant programs for startups, microbusinesses, or neighborhood-based projects.

For community or specialty grants (violence prevention, arts, youth programs):

  • City or county grants management offices, mayor’s office, county board, or state-level offices (such as a state arts council) may post grant opportunities on their .gov sites.
  • Many are actually administered through registered nonprofits, so the application location may be a local nonprofit office.

2. Key terms to know

Key terms to know:

  • Grant — Money given for a specific purpose (not usually repaid) if you meet the program’s conditions.
  • Administering agency — The government office or authorized organization that actually takes applications, processes them, and issues funds.
  • Intake site / intake office — The physical or online place where you start an application or screening for assistance.
  • Portal — An official online system where you create an account, submit an application, upload documents, and check messages.

3. What location types actually accept grant applications

When you search, you will usually see one or more of these official system touchpoints:

  • State or county human services / social services office:
    Handles many public assistance grants (rental help, crisis funds, SNAP, cash assistance). You can typically apply online through their portal, by mail, or at a local office in person.

  • Local housing authority or city housing office:
    Commonly handles housing vouchers, emergency rental aid, security deposit grants, and homelessness prevention programs. Applications may be in person, at scheduled intake times, or through partner nonprofits.

  • College financial aid office:
    For education grants, you usually submit the main federal form online, then follow up directly with your school’s financial aid office, which tells you if extra forms or verification are needed.

  • State economic development office or SBDC:
    For small business grants, you may need to apply through a specific grant management portal, submit a business plan, and attend an information session at a local government or SBDC office.

When you find a potential program, verify it is legitimate by checking that:

  • The site ends in .gov (for government) or clearly lists a government agency funding the program.
  • The application does not require you to pay a fee just to apply for the grant.
  • The contact information matches what is listed on the main state or city government website.

4. Documents you’ll typically need

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Proof of identity — such as a driver’s license, state ID, or passport for adult applicants.
  • Proof of income — recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or tax returns are commonly required to show financial need.
  • Proof of residence or enrollment — such as a lease or utility bill (for housing/basic needs grants) or school enrollment/acceptance letter (for education grants).

Some grants have extra requirements:

  • Small business grants often need a business license, EIN documentation, and a basic budget or business plan.
  • Housing-related grants may ask for a past-due notice, eviction notice, or utility shutoff warning to show you are at risk of losing housing.
  • Education grants may require transcripts or satisfactory academic progress documentation handled through your school.

Next action for today:
Start a folder (physical or digital) and place or scan your photo ID, your last 30–60 days of income proof, and one recent bill or lease so you can upload or bring them quickly once you locate the correct application site.

5. Step-by-step: From finding the right location to what happens next

5.1 Find the correct official office or portal

  1. Identify your main need.
    Write down what you’re asking for: “help paying rent,” “grant for returning to school,” “small business startup grant,” etc.

  2. Search for the matching agency.
    Use terms like “[your state] Department of Human Services grants,” “[your city] housing authority rental assistance,” “state economic development grants,” and look for results that end in .gov.

  3. Confirm the program is active.
    On the agency’s site, look for a clearly labeled “Apply,” “How to Apply,” “Eligibility,” or “Now Accepting Applications” section, plus recent dates or notices.

What to expect next:
You will usually see whether the grant is open or closed, the application window, and whether you must apply online, in person, or through a partner organization.

5.2 Prepare what the location will actually ask for

  1. Review the eligibility and required documents section.
    Note any items that are specific to that grant, like eviction papers, business budget, or school ID number.

  2. Gather and copy documents before you go or log in.
    Make clear photocopies or scanned PDFs of your ID, income proof, and residency/need documentation; label them with your name and date.

What to expect next:
When you start the application, you will typically be asked to upload these documents in the portal or hand them to an intake worker at an office; if something is missing, they may put your application on hold until you provide it.

5.3 Apply through the official channel

  1. Apply online where possible.
    If the agency has an online portal, create an account using your legal name and a working email or phone, then complete each section of the application carefully, saving your work.

  2. Or apply in person at the correct office.
    If the program requires or allows in-person applications, call the office listed on the government site and ask, “Do I need an appointment to apply for [program name] or do you accept walk-ins?” then bring your documents at the scheduled time.

  3. Submit and ask how to track your case.
    After applying, write down your confirmation number, case number, or application ID and ask or check the portal for how they will contact you (mail, email, text, portal messages).

What to expect next:
Typically you will receive either a confirmation notice, a request for more information, or eventually a decision letter explaining if you were approved, denied, or placed on a waiting list; timelines vary across programs and locations.

5.4 If you run into real-world friction

Real-world friction to watch for

A frequent problem is that people go to the wrong office or website—for example, a nonprofit that only gives information, not actual grants, or a private site that charges for “grant help” but is not connected to any official program. This can waste weeks while application windows close, so if you’re not sure, call the main state or city human services / housing / economic development number listed on the .gov site and ask them to confirm the exact office or portal that accepts applications for the grant you’re seeking.

6. After you apply: Follow-up, decisions, and where to get help

Follow-up steps you can take:

  • Check the official portal regularly.
    Many systems post messages or document requests in your online account instead of calling you; unanswered requests can stall or close your application.

  • Call or visit for status checks.
    Use language like: “I applied for [program name] on [date]. My application number is [ID]. I’d like to confirm if you have all my documents and whether you need anything else from me.”

  • Respond quickly to any request for more information.
    If you get a letter or message asking for additional proof of income, updated bills, or signatures, those are often time-limited, and missing the deadline can mean starting over.

If your grant is denied or waitlisted:

  • Many agencies allow you to appeal or request a review, usually through a short form or written request.
  • Staff at the human services office, housing authority, or financial aid office can often explain what was missing and which other programs you might qualify for instead.

Where to get legitimate help completing applications:

  • Local human services / social services office: Caseworkers can often assist with basic applications and explain which programs you should try.
  • Community Action Agencies: These nonprofits are commonly funded by government to help low-income residents complete grant and assistance applications.
  • Legal aid offices (for housing-related grants and denials): They may help if losing housing is at stake and a grant or subsidy could prevent eviction.
  • HUD-approved housing counseling agencies: For housing grants and rental assistance, they can guide you through your local system.
  • Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs): These centers often provide free help preparing small business grant applications funded by local or state agencies.

Because grants involve money and personal information, be cautious of scams: avoid anyone who guarantees approval, asks for upfront fees to “unlock” government grants, or requests that you send documents through unsecured methods not listed on the official .gov or authorized nonprofit site. When in doubt, call the customer service number listed on the official government website and ask them to confirm whether a program or location is legitimate before you apply.